Things get cookin' at Handy Fest

Andre Hicks with the Hicks & Johnson barbecue team fends off the smoke as he checks a smoker to see if it’s ready to cook on while his team sets up on Main Street in Henderson Friday evening for Saturday’s Taste of Henderson Barbecue.

Jimmy Crosby with Rex’s Barbecue Express puts up a banner as cookers set-up for the big kick-off event for the 17th-annual W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival. Barbecue sales begin at 9 a.m. today and continue throughout the day. Musical entertainment includes Cole Prior Stevens & Steve Boros at 11:30 a.m., Janey Street at 1 p.m., The Stella-Vees at 3 p.m., the Huckleberrys at 5 p.m. and Rastus Kain Band at 7 p.m. Events will continue Sunday with “Barbecue & The Blues” from 4 to 9 p.m. at Paff haus Community Center and a 7 p.m. outdoor concert by Gina Moore.